Shield.



C. E. MOLONEY.

SHIELD.

APPLICATION FILED APR. a. 1918 1 ,279,57 1 i I Patented Sept. 24, 1918.

y m u w CHARLES E. MOLONEY, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SHIELD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 24, 1918.

Application filed April 3, 1918. Serial No. 226,366.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES E. MOLONEY,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county ofCook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Shields, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to portable protective shields or defensive armorfor soldiers to afford shelter or defense from bullets, small-arms ormachine-guns, shrapnel, particles of shells, and the like..

The prime aim of the invention is to provide a simple shield of thischaracter which can be readily carried by the soldier and which willshelter and protect not only himself but one or more persons behind him.A. further purpose of the invention is to produce a shield of this stylewhich will enable the soldier to see clearly ahead of him both at adistance and in the foreground, without exposing himself to the enemysfire. Also, the appliance is so constructed that its bearer hasnoditliculty in walking, plenty of room being provided for the movement ofhis feet and legs, and. in addition, if the soldier falls forwardly withthe shield accidentally or intentionally, his rifle which is attached toit, is in position for quick detachment and use. The construction issuch that if occasion requires, the soldier can discard the shield andbe entirely unhampcred for quick work of any kind. Furthermore, theappliance is so made that the user may shoot through a protectedaperture therein and, if desired, the shield may be placed and properlysupported in an inclined position resting on one edge, so that thesoldier may lie flat or crouch behind it and clearly observe what ishappening in front of him and shoot while thus fully protected ifnecessary. Additionally, the shield may readily be used as a cover for atrench, thus affording shelter against aerial or other attacks, it mayadvantageously be used as a protection for doorways or windows, or maybe employed as a stretcher in an emergency.

The attainment of these and other desirable objects will be readilyunderstood from a consideration of a preferred embodiment of theinvention, illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part ofthis specification and throughout the various views of which likereference characters refer to the same parts, and described in detailbelow.

In this drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved shield as viewed from therear thereof;

Fi 2 is a rear elevation of the appliance;

Fig. 3 is a central vertical section through the device, and

Fig. 4. is a plan view of the same.

The novel and improved appliance comprises a metal-plate 10 of athickness and character adapted to Withstand bullets, pieces of shell,etc., its upright length being sufficient to reach from a position abovethe head of the bearer to a point nearly reaching the ground, thus fullyand adequately protecting the shoulder in vital as well as minor parts.As is clearly shown, this plate is curved transversely a moderatean'iount for deflection purposes, as well as to atl'ord a slight lateralprotection to the bearer. The plateor shield is designed to be carriedby the soldier in front of him by means of two padded straight arms orrods 11 and 12 removably screwed into sockets 13, 1 which arms areintended to rest on his shoulders, by which means the greater portion ofthe weight is borne, and to assist. in carrying such weight as well asto aid in hold the shield in the desired position, the back "'9. thereofis conveniently equipped with a p of spaced handles 1/ and 15 insuitable position to be grasped by the bearer. By these means the shieldmay be held a short distance ahead of the soldier carrying it, therebypermitting adequate and full freedom of movement of the legs and feet.In order to eliminate danger of the lower portion of the shield strikingan object resting on or embedded in the ground, such for example, as astone or tree stump, and causing the soldier and shield to fallforwardly, its lower edge portion 16 may be bent back somewhat asillustrated, so that if such an obstruction is encountered, it will tendto deflect or raise the shield and facilitate its passage over it.

To enable the soldier to have a clear view ahead without danger tohimself, the top portion of the shield at the back is equipped with aperiscope 17 positioned in front of the eyes when the shield is restingon the shoulders, whereby the soldier readily looks over the top of theshield, without risk. Such top edge of the metal-plate may be cut awayat 18 so that no part of the periscopc need appear or project above theupper mar gin of the plate. To permit the soldier with the shield toview'the ground just immediately in advance of the protector, the latterhas a narrow horizontal slot 19 equipped. on the front side of theshield or guard performs the function of an inclined protector for theopening, whereby, although the soldier may look through the opening atthe ground ahead of him, he is free from danger from this source. The

rear face of the shield has also a plurality of spring-clips 22 and aWire or other suitable pocket 23 adapted to hold a rifle 24, in themanner indicated. If for any reason the soldier shouldfall overforwardly with the shield, the rifle is in position to be quicklygrasped for immediate use. It will be understood, therefore, that as thesoldier advances with the shield, he is able to have a good view of whatis ahead of him, not only of distantobjects, but also those directly infront of him, by means of the periscope and the slot. By shifting hiseyes he can readily avail himself of the one or the other. In this wayhe has no difficulty in determining the course to be traveled and theavoidance of obstructions,.and at the same time he is fully andadequately shielded and protected from injury. If occasion requires, hecan discharge bullets by small fire-arms through the shield opening,lifting the vizor or guard temporarily sufliciently for that purpose.Inasmuch as the shield is in no way directly fastened to the bearer, itcan be readily discarded in an emergency. As has been specified, therifle mounted on the shield is in proper position for quick use providedthe shield falls or is'thro-wn down forwardly.

It is also possible to advantageously employ the shleld by resting it onthe ground either vertically or horizontally and when in the latterrelation it will maintain its own position by reason of one of the arms11 or 12 acting as a supporting strut or brace. Under such conditions,the-soldier may lie flat or crouch behind the inclined shield andnevertheless look around it by means of the periscope or view the thingsin front of him through the opening. Also, as has been indicated, theshield may be used as a protecting device over the top of a trench orover doors or windows, and in some instances, may possibly beadvantageously employed as a stretcher.

To those skilled in this art it will be clear that the invention is notnecessarily restricted and limited to the precise and exact structuralfeatures illustrated and described and that these may be modified withincomparatively wide limits. without departure from the substance andessence of the invention and Without the sacrifice of any of itssubstantial benefits and advantages.

I claim:

1. A shield of the character described equipped with means whereby itmay be carried by the soldier to protect himself comprising a plate ofsuitable dimensions, a pair of substantially-straight rearwardlyextendedarms adapted to rest on the shoulders of the bearer, pairs of carryinghandles of different heights adapted to render assistance in thecarrying of the shield, a periscope mounted on the shield in positionfor use by the person carrying the latter, the shield having an openingtherethrough in such position that the bearer thereof may view theforeground in front of the shield, whereby the carrier of the shield by.the duplex means has an extended range of vision, substantially asdescribed.

2. A shield of the character described equipped with means whereby itmay be carried by the soldier to protect himself comprising atransversely-curved metal sheet of suitable dimensions bent or deflectedrearwardly at its lower portion to avoid obstructions, a pair ofsubstantially-straight rearwardly-extended arms adapted to rest on theshoulders of the bearer, pairs of carrying handles of different heightson said shield, a periscope mounted on the shield in position for use bythe person carrying the latter by said arms, the shield having anopening therethrough in such a position that thebearer thereof may viewthe foreground in front of the shield whereby the carrier of the shield'by the duplex means has an extended range of vision, and a hingedadjustable shutter for said opening, substantially as described.

CHARLES E. MOLONE Y.

